In a strange turn of events, an Argentine judge is now requesting the extradition of Nicolas Maduro, the former President of Venezuela, after he was captured and taken into custody by U.S. military agents. Maduro is currently awaiting trial in the United States, where he will face extremely serious narco-terrorism charges as well as charges related to a conspiracy to import cocaine into New York.

The government of Argentina is accusing Maduro of committing crimes against humanity during his reign as president. According to the documents outlined by the court, Maduro oversaw a harsh crackdown on political opponents and protesters against his regime that violated international law. The arrest warrant is signed by federal judge Sebastian Ramos.

The court documents outline several Venezuelan plaintiffs who accuse Maduro of authorizing intelligence agents, security forces, and law enforcement officers to commit acts that included:

  • Enforced disappearance
  • Arbitrary detention
  • Torture

The case dates back to at least 2023, when human rights organizations filed the case on behalf of the victims. The case was originally filed in Buenos Aires, but it relies on the principle of universal jurisdiction. In Argentina, the principle of universal jurisdiction allows for the prosecution of anyone from any country who commits specific crimes like terrorism, genocide, or human rights violations. 

This makes Argentina unique as one of the only countries whose law permits the investigation of crimes against humanity that occur abroad. The Argentine court issued the international arrest warrant in 2024.

Argentina’s foreign ministry will present the request to the United States President, Donald Trump. Since Maduro is currently awaiting trial in Brooklyn, it’s unlikely that the request will be granted. That said, Maduro may need to face the allegations in Argentina after he deals with his legal challenges in America.

How Does Extradition Work?

Accused individuals can’t simply be taken from one country to face justice in another one. Typically, a legal arrest warrant must be issued, and an extradition process must occur beforehand. First, the county accusing the person of the crime will issue an official indictment or arrest warrant outlining the specific charges the person is accused of committing. From there, the country where the person is residing may apprehend the individual. The person is typically provided an extradition hearing, where the courts decide whether the extradition makes the most sense under the circumstances.

Once the suspect is extradited to the receiving country, the criminal trial begins.

Are you potentially facing criminal allegations in a foreign country? Are you worried about being extradited? In these situations, it’s best to hire a skilled, experienced international attorney to represent your best interests. This is especially true because a suspect’s rights and options may not be the same in different countries.

Here at Bukh Global, our team understands exactly how intimidating it can be to face charges in an entirely foreign country. We offer international legal assistance to clients across the globe. To schedule a free call with us, leave your contact details on our online form.